Judge Amy O'Connor rejected a fourth attempt by lawyers for the college and President Will Austin to throw out the case. The trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 24 in Belvidere.

O'Connor threw out a claim that the college has discriminated against its former dean of students, Laurel Attanasio, based on gender and caused intentional infliction of emotional distress. Both claims stand for Austin individually.

In the lawsuit, Attanasio claimed Austin made sexual remarks directed at her and other women who worked at the college. She also said the president made derogatory remarks about her physical appearance and health.

Attanasio alleged Austin engaged in a pattern of harassment directed at her from September 2006 to May 2008, according to the lawsuit.

Austin, 42, has been the college's president since 2003. At the time he was hired, he was the youngest person to ever head a New Jersey college. The college, which is 25 years old, graduated the largest class in its history, 320 students, in May.

WCCC spokesman Dan Hirshberg said questions about the lawsuit should go to Steinhardt, who did not return a call for comment.